6.5, best bullet grain to use?

[wildfowler.250]

Wondering what folks preference is on the 6.5 for deer stalking? I’ve reloaded ELDX 143 grain in the Swede and they shot really well but are reasonably messy. Since the primer shortage, I’m going to have to change off CCI BR2s by the looks of things so I was considering starting altogether again.

I’ve tried some 120 prohunters but they weren’t quite as accurate as the ELDX,(less than one inch but not a clover leaf).

Have considered the 120 grain noslers but they’re nowhere to be seen and figured they may not shoot as well given the prohunters weren’t brilliant. Plus messy?

Accubonds shoot nicely in my .270 with reasonable carcass damage following from chest shots . They’re 130 grain in the 6.5. This might be a sweet spot for trajectory without going light? The accubond long range come in 140 grain I think but I’m assuming they are more frangible for the longer distance targets which doesn’t suit me.


Interested to hear what folks find effective? A lot of stuff seems to be hens teeth at the moment anyway?

 

[Foxyboy43]

130gns Sierra Gamechangers are very effective on all deer.

 

[Overlay]

140 gr sako my swede loves em

 

[Bavarianbrit]

In 6.5x57R the Germans swore by the 6 gram = 93 grain bullet for roe but for whatever reason RWS stopped making them way back when.

 

[sh1kar]

I always had excellent results with Sierra 140g Gamekings
S

 

[wildfowler.250]

130gns Sierra Gamechangers are very effective on all deer.

Thanks, how messy were these? I’ve tended to swerve off ballistic tips in recent years but I suppose it depends on the jacket thickness as much as anything

140 gr sako my swede loves em

I’ll look them up, not looked into their options actually. Easy to source?

In 6.5x57R the Germans swore by the 6 gram = 93 grain bullet for roe but for whatever reason RWS stopped making them way back when.

I think that would be pretty explosive!

I always had excellent results with Sierra 140g Gamekings
S

Think this is a reasonable contender. Easy enough to source? I was wondering if they’ve started to phase these out over the gamechangers

 

[gixer1]

I’ve shot everything from munties to reds with the below and find them consistent, hard hitting, and accurate.

I’m sure there maybe less damaging bullets out there but to me they do what I need perfectly.

I did try various copper when I first moved to 6.5 and it was dross (not looking to pick a fight with anyone - just my experience)

Regards,
Gixer


I tried the 120gr version and they were fine, but I found the 140’s a little more accurate in my rifle.

 

[maximus otter]

Have considered the 120 grain noslers but they’re nowhere to be seen and figured they may not shoot as well given the prohunters weren’t brilliant. Plus messy?

The Nosler 120-grain Ballistic Tips are sub-half MOA in my Sako, but they are very destructive on deer. Which is 50% of the reason l chose them. ( l don’t have, and can’t get access to, a tracking dog, so l want deer DRT.)

Edited to add: The NZ team at Ballistic Studies love the Nosler 140 Partition:

“The 140 grain Partition is without a doubt the most effective all around projectile for the Swede. Nothing else comes remotely close. This is a bullet that time after time, produces a deep, broad, violent wound resulting in fast kills. The Partition exits medium game at speeds fast enough to ensure complete disruption of vital organ pressures. Light and lean or large and tough, this is the go to bullet in the Swede, reaching its limit (wide wounding) on game weighing around 150kg (330lb) although it is adequate for use on Elk - unless you are sold on the idea that 450kg (1000lb) body weights are what the Swede was designed for. Wounding is wide down to velocities as low as 2200fps (310 yards) becoming moderate as velocities approach 2000fps or 430 yards.”

6.5x55

maximus otter

 

[Foxyboy43]

Thanks, how messy were these? I’ve tended to swerve off ballistic tips in recent years but I suppose it depends on the jacket thickness as much as anything

Perfick!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Thanks, how messy were these? I’ve tended to swerve off ballistic tips in recent years but I suppose it depends on the jacket thickness as much as anything

I’ll look them up, not looked into their options actually. Easy to source?

I think that would be pretty explosive!


Think this is a reasonable contender. Easy enough to source? I was wondering if they’ve started to phase these out over the gamechangers

I think that would be pretty explosive!
The opposite is the case as the hunters sell the meat on and want minimal damage. Every hunter around here moans that they are no longer available.

 

[Heym SR20]

ELDX bullets are designed to rapidly open hence messy end result.

Rather than worrying about bullet weight, get a much understanding of the different bullet types, their construction and terminal effect.

Johny Carter made a very good video of a visit to Norma where they look at the different bullet types, their application and their terminal effect in ballistic gells and in animals. Have a watch

 

[Stover Rover]

140 grain Sierra Gamekings, no issues expand reliably and always got an exit, (on fallow).

 

[Milk no sugar please]

130gns Sierra Gamechangers are very effective on all deer.

Got to say I concur with old foxy boy regards this bullet in the swede.

I drive it at 2730fps and the bullet photographed (poorly) here was recovered from just under the skin of a donkey fallow buck. It held together beautifully and still weighs 98 grains. Normally I get an exit but not this one. I think it’s a good bullet for roe too and not too destructive.

I have used it in 308 though and it totally blew up and shed the jacket completely so I stopped using it. Ymmv

 

[Utectok]

Somewhere around 100-120 gns I’d say
114 tlr yew tree work well in mine. 140gn is not really needed for uk deer so go light and faster.

 

[Gm81]

Wondering what folks preference is on the 6.5 for deer stalking? I’ve reloaded ELDX 143 grain in the Swede and they shot really well but are reasonably messy. Since the primer shortage, I’m going to have to change off CCI BR2s by the looks of things so I was considering starting altogether again.

I’ve tried some 120 prohunters but they weren’t quite as accurate as the ELDX,(less than one inch but not a clover leaf).

Have considered the 120 grain noslers but they’re nowhere to be seen and figured they may not shoot as well given the prohunters weren’t brilliant. Plus messy?

Accubonds shoot nicely in my .270 with reasonable carcass damage following from chest shots . They’re 130 grain in the 6.5. This might be a sweet spot for trajectory without going light? The accubond long range come in 140 grain I think but I’m assuming they are more frangible for the longer distance targets which doesn’t suit me.


Interested to hear what folks find effective? A lot of stuff seems to be hens teeth at the moment anyway?

I find 143eldx can be messy when shooting smaller deer and hit the shoulder.
The 130 gamechanger is designed as an aero gameking I believe. These are a lot less messy than an eldx but a really good bullet. Once my eldx are gone I would go back to these.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

130g gamechanger for me also, I've shot a number of red, roe and muntjac with them and never had any complaints. They CAN be relatively explosive if shot at short range however the same could be said for anything. They punch a nice, neat hole through and tend to do the same at distance. When I've finished my ELD's that's probably what I'll be moving too

 

[Rutland lad]

130 grain SAKO GAMEHEAD PRO lead were phenomenally accurate in my 6.5x55.

However, I needed to move to non toxic, so I reload Fox Classic Hunter 123 grain. They’re available as factory rounds too.

 

[Kernow_Stalker]

I'm using yewtree super X 102.4 grain. Theyre zipping along at about 3150fps. Lovely and flat shooting, great shot site indications, not had to follow up with them yet, however im sure there would be a good blood trail. I've only shot about 8 Sika with them so far though so I cant claim to have extensively used them.

I have skinned 6 of these and the damage was very reasonable all things considered.

Prior to these I've used all sorts

140 SST (good, but lots of meat damage, often runners)
129 SST (as above, slightly flatter shooting obviously)
140 S&B factory, shot great, cheap as chips, acceptable results on deer.
130 Game changer (Great performance, but several shots would end up doing funny things inside the animal, such as the broad side chest shot that ended up in the rear haunch....)
123 fox (couldnt get them to group well so never shot deer with them)
120 Sako Blade factory (so-so, not great blood trails when following up, struggled with larger stags in particular)
100 Barnes TTSX (Great, best of all of the above, but difficult to get a consistent supply I found)

Just my 2 pence worth

 

[tacklerat]

I've found the 123gn SST's to be a very good bullet. SST's do have a tendency to shed the jacket at times, but they are very reliable and accurate.

 

[tarponhead]

Wondering what folks preference is on the 6.5 for deer stalking? I’ve reloaded ELDX 143 grain in the Swede and they shot really well but are reasonably messy. Since the primer shortage, I’m going to have to change off CCI BR2s by the looks of things so I was considering starting altogether again.

I’ve tried some 120 prohunters but they weren’t quite as accurate as the ELDX,(less than one inch but not a clover leaf).

Have considered the 120 grain noslers but they’re nowhere to be seen and figured they may not shoot as well given the prohunters weren’t brilliant. Plus messy?

Accubonds shoot nicely in my .270 with reasonable carcass damage following from chest shots . They’re 130 grain in the 6.5. This might be a sweet spot for trajectory without going light? The accubond long range come in 140 grain I think but I’m assuming they are more frangible for the longer distance targets which doesn’t suit me.


Interested to hear what folks find effective? A lot of stuff seems to be hens teeth at the moment anyway?

My Bergara likes the 93g Norma Evostrike, not cheap but good brass for reloading.